rear of mid-division, no impression from 3 out, never a factor
mid-division on outer, no impression from 3 out, never a factor
towards rear, mistake 5th, some headway into 10th 3 out, soon ridden and no impression
mid-division on inner, headway into 5th entering straight, soon ridden, no impression
tracked leaders, slight mistake 3rd, headway into 2nd travelling well before 2 out, led after 2 out and ridden, strongly pressed and joined approaching last, regained lead after last, stayed on well inside final furlong
tracked leader in 2nd, improved to lead before 2 out, soon ridden, headed after 2 out, 3rd at last, kept on same pace
mid-division, mistake at 1st, no impression from 3 out, never a factor
rear of mid-division, closer in 8th entering straight, reminder in 6th after 2 out and jockey dropped whip, 6th at last, ran on under hands and heels inside final furlong, 4th close home, never nearer
tracked leaders on outer, ridden before 3 out, weakened, pulled up before 2 out
held up in rear, slight mistake 2nd and mistake 3rd, headway travelling well on inner into 4th entering straight, went 3rd 2 out, ridden to dispute lead approaching last, not fluent at last, headed early run-in, kept on same pace inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden in 6th entering straight, soon no impression
rear of mid-division on inner, headway into 7th entering straight, ridden in 5th 2 out, no impression
led, ridden entering straight, headed before 2 out, weakened
in rear, headway into 9th entering straight, soon ridden and no impression
tracked leaders, ridden before 3 out, soon weakened
Willie Mullins hasn't won this since Thousand Stars in 2009 but has five entries here. The four-year-old Ciel De Neige, who was having his first start for the yard when a close third in the Fred Winter in March, is likely to have improved in the interim and could be on a very lenient mark. But JANIDIL (NAP) has made great strides for the yard and had plenty in hand when landing a Grade B handicap at Down Royal. He's been hit with a 10lb rise but could be good enough though top weight shouldn't prevent a big run from Mister Blue Sky, a Grade 2 winner here in April and race-fit after finishing third behind Honeysuckle here last month. Ilikedwayurthinkin has completed a Galway double in great style and though hit with a massive 16lb rise is still capable of a big run. Articulum has been in good form over fences and reverts to hurdles on a 16lb lower mark.
Mister Blue Sky (IRE) 4-1 (11-10) Held up in last, 4th at 8th, went 3rd 3 out, soon ridden, no impression on leaders 2 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 5, 28l behind Honeysuckle (11-3) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hvy in Nov.
Campeador (FR) 28-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, progress into 8th before 4 out, ridden and no extra before 3 out where slight mistake, weakened, 14th of 16, dist behind Kilfenora (11-0) at Naas 2m 4f hcp Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Chosen Mate (IRE) 5-4fav (12-6) 3rd of 16, 1 3/4l behind Turbo (12-3) at Punchestown 1m 7f sft in Nov.
Hearts Are Trumps (IRE) 16-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, ridden in 3rd after 3 out, 2nd next, no extra in 3rd at last, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 4th of 14, 6 1/2l behind Janidil (10-10) at Down Royal 2m hcp sft in Nov.
Janidil (FR) 11-4 (10-10) Disputed lead early, headed 2nd, remained prominent, improved to lead 3 out, pushed along from 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on well under pressure inside final furlong, reduced advantage close home, won at Down Royal 2m hcp sft in Nov beating Try Again (10-5) by 3/4l, 14 ran.
Articulum (IRE) 5-1 (11-9) Mid-division early, 6th from 4th, slight mistake 5th, ridden and headway to chase winner from after 2 out, soon no impression, one pace, 2nd of 11, 8 1/2l behind Lakemilan (10-7) at Cork 2m 2f hcp Yielding in Oct.
Ilikedwayurthinkin (IRE) 5-6fav (11-12) Close up and ran freely early, 3rd halfway, progress to lead before 2 out where not fluent, travelled well before last, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Galway 2m 1f hcp gd in Aug beating Dumhach Thra (11-1) by 5l, 19 ran.
Ciel De Neige (FR) 17-2 (11-1) Held up in rear, not fluent 3 out, headway after 2 out, went 3rd flat, kept on but not pace of front pair, 3rd of 21, 3 3/4l behind Band of Outlaws (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) sft in Mar.
Pakens Rock (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) Led early, joined briefly 2nd, led next, ridden 3 out, headed approaching next, moderate 3rd at last, no impression in 4th inside final furlong, 4th of 6, 10 3/4l behind Abacadabras (11-1) at Navan 2m (1) Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Buildmeupbuttercup 6-1 (9-5) A little slow into stride, a little keen, prominent, 4th approaching halfway, travelling smoothly straight, on terms under 2f out, pushed along from 1 1/2f out to gain narrow lead, soon joined, edged left and not match winner inside final furlong,one pace, 2nd of 16, 1 3/4l behind Jukebox Jive (8-5) at Naas 1m 6f hcp hvy in Nov.
Lakemilan (IRE) 7-4fav (9-4) Soon raced in 11th, headway from over 4f out, travelling smoothly under 3f out and prominent on inner, ridden 2f out, one pace from over 1f out, 4th of 13, 3 3/4l behind Maria Christina (9-0) at Naas 1m 4f mdn hvy in Nov.
La Sorelita (FR) 14-1 (10-9) Mid-division, headway into 5th 3 out, soon ridden, dropped to 6th next, no impression, 6th of 14, 14 3/4l behind Janidil (10-10) at Down Royal 2m hcp sft in Nov.
Polished Steel (IRE) 16-1 (10-8) Mid-division, no impression from 4 out, weakened, 13th of 14, dist behind Janidil (10-10) at Down Royal 2m hcp sft in Nov.
Morga (IRE) 50-1 (8-11) Waited with, 11th approaching halfway, effort straight, no extra over 1f out, 15th of 16, 24l behind Jukebox Jive (8-5) at Naas 1m 6f hcp hvy in Nov.
Tara Dylan (IRE) 50-1 (9-11) Always towards rear, never a factor, pushed along and no impression entering straight, ridden and no extra under 2f out, 13th of 14, 11 3/4l behind Art Of America (9-9) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Nov.
